Karaoke Bar Owner Sentenced for Fatally Assaulting Customer... Told 119 "A Drunk Person Fell"

Assault Following Dispute Over Additional Charges
Victim Dies After Falling Down Stairs

A karaoke bar owner who assaulted a customer, causing the customer to fall down the stairs and die, has been sentenced to prison. The incident began as a dispute over additional charges, which escalated into violence. Investigations revealed that the customer fell down the stairs and struck his head on the floor.

On April 28, the 12th Criminal Division of the Incheon District Court (Presiding Judge Choi Younggak) announced that it had sentenced Mr. A (56) to four years in prison on charges of assault resulting in death.

Mr. A was indicted for striking the back of customer Mr. B's (64) head three times at around 12:22 a.m. on December 1 last year at a karaoke establishment in Namdong-gu, Incheon. The assault occurred following a dispute over additional charges, which led to Mr. B falling down the stairs.

However, Mr. A did not provide any aid and reportedly only told emergency services, "A drunk person fell down." Mr. B was transferred to the intensive care unit for treatment but died four days later due to "head trauma and subdural hemorrhage."

The court stated, "The defendant assaulted the victim, causing him to fall down the stairs and strike his head on the floor, and then left the scene without providing any assistance, reporting the victim to emergency responders as merely an intoxicated person. As a result, the victim was sent home, lost consciousness, and ultimately died."

The court continued, "The victim's family has suffered mental shock and grief due to his sudden death and is petitioning for a severe punishment for the defendant. However, the court also considered that the defendant has admitted to the crime when determining the sentence."